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A Century of Lawmaking for a New Nation: U.S. Congressional Documents and Debates, 1774-1875
Journals of the Continental Congress --THURSDAY, MARCH 13, 1777
A petition from Richard Howson was read, praying for leave to go to New York, in order to get a passage for England:1
[Note 1: 1 This petition is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 42, III, folio 349.]
Resolved, That the prayer of the petition be granted.
A letter from Lord Howe to the committee of Congress at Philadelphia, respecting the exchange of Captain Jones, and the capture of the brig Lexington by the Pearl frigate, was read:
Ordered, That it be referred to the Marine Committee.
The Board of War brought in a report, which was taken into consideration; Whereupon,
Resolved, That a letter be written by the president to Colonel Stephen, of the 10th Virginia regiment, ordering him to purchase eighty stand of arms, or as many more as can be procured, of Mr. James Hunter, of Fredericksburg, in Virginia; the colonel to be empowered to draw for the amount on the deputy pay master general of the southern department.
Congress being informed that there are in the public armoury, in the State of Virginia, a number of arms, to the amount of about three hundred stand, belonging to the said state:
Resolved, That a letter be written by the president to the governor and council of Virginia, requesting them to furnish the batallion, commanded by Colonel Stephen, now at Fredericksburg, with the arms now in that place, and as many more as can be procured, for which they shall either be paid, or have the same number, equally as good, returned, at their election.
That the Council of the Massachusetts State erect at the Expence of the United States in some convenient place in the County of Worcester in said State, Barracks with a Stockade or enclosure surrounding
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the same, capable of containing 1,500 Prisoners, to be built of wood, as may appear to them most conducive to the public service and in the end least expensive to the Public.
Whereas applications are frequently made to Congress for employment in the continental army by gentlemen from Europe of various nations, who may very probably have great merit, but, not understanding our language, can be of no use in the army of these States; therefore,
Resolved, That the Committee of Secret Correspondence be directed forthwith to write to all their ministers and agents abroad, to discourage all gentlemen from coming to America with expectation of employment in the service, unless they are masters of our language, and have the best recommendations.
Resolved, That the two German Officers mentioned in the Letter of his Excellency Governor Henry, not understanding our Language, cannot be provided for by Congress in the Army of the United States.
Resolved, That Major Marlet ought be paid for the time that he was employed in the American service as major and captain in Canada, which is referred to the Board of Treasury for settlement.1
[Note 1: 1 This report is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 147, I, folio 95.]
Mr. Winters, of Maryland, who has carried on a manufactory of small arms, having offered his service to the Continent,
Ordered, That he be referred to the Board of War.
A petition from Lewis Prahl, gunsmith, was read, praying the discharge of two recruits, gunsmiths by trade, from their inlistment, in order to enable him to employ them in the said business:2
[Note 2: 2 This petition is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 42, VI, folio 140. The two gunsmiths were Stephen Smith and John Bay.]
Ordered, That the same be referred to the Board of War.
A memorial from Robert Erwin, waggon master, was read, praying an allowance for his expence and trouble:
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Ordered, That it be referred to the Board of Treasury.
Resolved, That a committee of five be appointed to confer with General Gates upon the general state of affairs:1
[Note 1: 1 Some papers by Gates, submitted to this committee, are in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 154, II, folios 373--385.]
The members chosen, Mr. [Daniel] Roberdeau, Mr. L[ewis] Morris, Mr. [Roger] Sherman, Mr. [William] Whipple, and Mr. [James] Lovell.
The Board of Treasury brought in a report, which was taken into consideration; Whereupon,
Resolved, That three commissioners be appointed to examine such claims against the United States, as cannot be adjusted in other Departments. may be presented to Congress for payment:
That they constantly keep their office in the city or place where Congress shall, from time to time, be assembled and hold their session:
That they carefully avoid passing any accounts that ought to be adjusted in other departments, unless directed thereto by Congress or the Board of Treasury, in which cases, they are to send to the office or department where the same should have been settled, a copy of such accounts, and the allowance made thereon by Congress:
That they certify the sums to be allowed on accounts examined by them, and render the same to the auditor general, to be by him reported to Congress.
That the Sum of Sixty Dollars p. month be allowed to each the Commissioners of Accounts whilst employed the Service of the United States. Postponed.2
[Note 2: 2 This report, in the writing of Elbridge Gerry, is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 136, I, folio 49. See under March 25, post.]
A memorial from Christopher Ludwig, respecting the Hessian prisoners, was read:3
[Note 3: 3 This memorial is in the Papers of the Continental Congress, No. 41, V, folio 175.]
Ordered, That it be referred to the committee appointed to confer with General Gates.
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The several matters to this day referred, being postponed,
Adjourned to 10 o'Clock to Morrow.
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